FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1928
1928 - 0016.PDF
it is better that it should produce freakish spans than freakish chords. That, if we have understood him correctly, was Mr. Walker's general argument. As regards the formula itself the changes suggested are very minor ones, and tend towards lowering the handicap speeds estimated according to the formula. The value of the coefficient " K " has been slightly reduced and the biplane allowance altered so as to give a greater value of span2. In view of what happened last year, it is of the greatest importance that the subject of a handicap formula should be thoroughly ventilated, and we have taken up the matter this week so as to call attention to the fact that the subject is now under review. Last year nobody discovered the " snag " until it was too late (although the formula had been given in FLIGHT months previously). It would be a pity to have the same thing happening again. Examining the curve given by Mr. Walker in the article to which we have referred, it is found that at the lower speeds, i.e., for small values of b.h.p./span2, the formula is in fairly good agreement with actual examples of machines. At higher values of this ratio, however, the formula tends to over-estimate speed by a considerable amount. This rather seems to suggest that a possible remedy might be to make " K" vary with "span power" in such a manner that as horse-power per foot of span increases so does the value of " K " decrease. Merely changing the value of " K " and keeping it constant for the whole range of types would not effect a cure. W'hat- ever one does, no formula can ever accurately " fit " all machines, since some are bound to be more efficient than others. Mr. Walker's plea for a formula which compels us to " aim high " is perfectly sound, and certainly the formula chosen should tend to " improve the breed." But it should be remembered that formula racing, unless the prizes to be won are very substantial, is not likely to induce firms to build special machines. Moreover, the greater the power of a machine the higher its cost, so that a formula which rules out existing high-power machines is likely to have the effect of confining formula racing to the low-power type. We do not for one moment suggest that the small machines should be ruled out. On the contrary, the suggested formula seems to " fit " these machines reasonably well, and it is for that reason that we suggest retaining the present value of " K " for them. But, in order to ensure the entry of high-power machines, it would, we submit, be wise to make sure that this year's formula does not handicap them right out of the race. Certainly, if the value of " K " be adjusted, as we have suggested, on a " sliding scale," it will be found possible to build a high-power machine which will beat the formula. But then, if a firm is willing to go to the expense of constructing a special machine of this type for the King's Cup Race, is it not entitled to a good chance in the race ? We personally think the answer to that must be Yes. Mr. Walker determined the value of 261-3 for "K" from the Curtiss racer RS.Cp Therefore, it is obviously possible to design a high-power machine which will attain the speed calculated by the Walker formula. But the point is, it seems to us, that no such machine is in the least likely to be built for the race, and that, therefore, it would be better to concede a point to existing British high-power machines. In point of fact, we know of at least one British single-seater fighter JANUARY 12, 1928 which the suggested formula exactly fits. Thus, if the value of K " be progressively lowered as the "span power" increases, this machine would be able to " cheat " the formula. But that machine is a particularly efficient one, and personally we consider that such a machine deserves to be encouraged. While we do not suggest that the Walker formula is the only one possible, we do think it forms an excellent basis for discussion, and we would welcome the views of readers on the subject. To us it seems important that the matter should be thoroughly thrashed out, not merely in the drawing offices of the firms, but by a much wider circle. Last year what happened was that firms examined the formula to see how their own machines fared under the formula. Finding that speeds were under-estimated, they agreed to the formula, without bothering to see how other firms' machines would be affected. The result we all remember. A repetition of this occurrence would be most regrettable. Within the last couple of days ill-luck Hard Luck has attended two great British nights : Mr. Lancaster's Avro " Avian," on which he was flying to Australia with a passenger, has come to grief at Muntok—unfortunately, causing slight injuries to Mr. Lancaster and to Mrs. Miller, his passenger ; and Sir Alan Cobham's Short " Singa- pore," just repaired after a previous accident caused by a gale while moored, has broken away from her moorings and drifted on to the rocks, sustaining some damage, the exact extent and nature of which is not yet known. To both crews we extend our sincere sympathy in their misfortunes. The " Avian " had put up a splendid flight of greater distance than any hitherto made with a machine of such low power, and, moreover, it was carrying a passenger, so that, what with the extra weight, a large quantity of fuel, luggage, etc., it must have been very heavily loaded. In spite of this it had been making good progress, and to have got as far as it did is a very fine performance. It is to be hoped that the two plucky travellers may be able to continue on another machine, if this one should prove to be damaged beyond repair. Sir Alan Cobham's usual lucky star seems for the moment to have deserted him. His mishaps have both occurred while the " Singapore " was moored, and appear to have been due entirely to quite excep- tional weather conditions. We take it for granted, of course, that the crew possess that " marine airman- ship " of which Sqdn.-Ldr. Maycock spoke at the R.Ae.S., I.Ae.E., and that everything had been done which could be done to ensure the safety of the machine at her moorings. We have no personal knowledge of conditions at Malta, but it seems evident that the anchorage must have been a fairly exposed one for the boat to have broken away as it did, and it is most unfortunate that the bad weather should have occurred just when it did ; otherwise Sir Alan and his party would by now have been well on their jdlirney down through Africa. We hope it will be found, when a careful examination has been made, that the machine has not sustained serious damage, and that it may be possible soon to continue the flight under more fortunate conditions. 16
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
